Ivory Beluga - Alaska Postage Desk Mat

Another in the series of postage stamps for the notional independent nation of Alaska. Features a digital rendering of an beluga whale carved from mammoth ivory. The carving of ivory is a traditional craft of Alaska Natives. White is the predominant color in this image on a dark blue-green background. Text reading, "Alaska," "Postage 8 Nuggets," and "Ivory Carving" also appear. Customize by adding your own additional text. The beluga or white whale, Delphinapterus leucas, is a small toothed whale found in both the Arctic and sub-Arctic. The English name comes from the Russian белуха (belukha), which derives from the word белый (belyy), meaning "white". It is sometimes referred to by scientists as the belukha whale to avoid confusion with the beluga sturgeon. The beluga is also colloquially known as the sea canary due of its high-pitched squeaks, squeals, clucks and whistles which can even be heard above the water.